Recently it seems like we’ve had an increasing number of celebrities and public figures apologizing for bad behavior.
When politicians, athletes, and entertainers are caught doing something wrong, they say, “I’m sorry.” We get the feeling that these people aren’t really very sorry about what they did — only that they got caught!
What has the power to end wars, destroy evil, save lives, and heal people? Someone might think I’m talking about a superhero.
No. I’m thinking about the power available to any believer in the Rosary. This traditional Catholic devotion usually prayed on beads really has awesome power! How do we know? Our Lady herself has told us.
It doesn’t seem possible that it has been 30 years since Pope John Paul II made his historic visit to rural Des Moines, Iowa. As a young reporter, I was among nearly 350,000 people gathered on a hillside to welcome the Holy Father. It is an experience I’ll never forget.
As the pope celebrated Mass and preached to the throngs of people, it reminded me of what the Sermon on the Mount must have been like. I really felt the presence of Jesus in our midst that day in October of 1979.
In Wisconsin, the number of unborn children killed by abortion continues to decline. Last year, our state again experienced a drop in the number of abortions from the previous year.
The number of abortions was 8,229. Although that is still too many, it does represent a 62 percent decrease from the all-time high of 21,754 performed in 1980, reported Wisconsin Right to Life.
To the editor:
The beginning of another school year invites us to reflect upon the importance of teachers.
Though they may occasionally fall short like other human beings, teachers do influence youth, who are the hope of the future. For through their classes pass future doctors, farmers, secretaries, computer operators, scientists, lawyers, parents, priests, nuns, engineers, and other shapers of tomorrow’s world.
To the editor:
The “health care reform” bill targets the unborn, very sick, and senior citizens.
Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life called it FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) in disguise. He also said: “The ‘health care reform’ bills being finalized in Congress will set off a chain reaction that will result in a massive expansion of abortion! That’s because, unless Congress explicitly states that abortion is excluded, it will be regarded as ‘an essential benefit’ for Americans.”
Every Catholic has a call to teach, proclaim the Word of God, and pass along the faith to future generations. We are reminded of that call as we celebrate Catechetical Sunday this weekend on Sunday, Sept. 20, in our parishes and homes.
This year focuses on the theme, “Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word.” In many parishes, those who serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. We thank all people who step forward to serve as catechists in our parishes, teaching everyone from pre-schoolers to adults.
Msgr. Jim Bartylla, the vocation director for the Diocese of Madison, shared some good news with the Madison Serra Club in a recent talk at one of the club’s meetings.
He reported that there are four new seminarians who will be studying for the diocese beginning this fall. Every year for the past five years, the Diocese of Madison has been fortunate to have a number of new seminarians join the ranks of those preparing for the priesthood.
To the editor:
I can’t tell you how many times lately people have approached me expressing a desire to become more actively involved in defending life. Many are new to Pro-Life Wisconsin and even more have been supporters for years but now feel compelled to get out and do more hands-on work.
Our True to Life Media Campaign — combined with recent rallies, prayer vigils, and numerous reports of babies saved — has sparked renewed interest in public witness, prayer, and sidewalk counseling at local abortion mills. For this reason, Pro-Life Wisconsin will host the third of three sidewalk counseling workshops on October 10 in Oshkosh at A Place 2 B. This is a critical training opportunity for all sidewalk counselors and prayer warriors.
A one-man play on the life of St. John Vianney will be performed in the Madison and Milwaukee areas by actor Leonardo Defilippis. VIANNEY will be staged at St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. and at four other locations (see details below).
This play has been in the works for over two years, but coincidentally (or by divine inspiration), Pope Benedict XVI declared the Year for Priests in June under the patronage of St. John Vianney. So this play became even more appropriate for viewing.
